CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former upkeep director of a southern West Virginia county college system was charged in a scheme to steal about $3.4 million from an area board of schooling.
Michael David Barker appeared in courtroom Wednesday after his indictment on one rely of conspiracy and a number of counts of mail fraud, cash laundering and theft. If convicted on all counts and sentenced to serve consecutive sentences, Barker may face a most of 300 years in jail because of the a number of mail fraud costs. He was launched on a $10,000 private recognizance bond and declined to remark as he left the federal courthouse in Charleston, WCHS-TV reported.
Barker was accountable from 2015 to 2023 for ordering provides for college system repairs by the Boone County Board of Schooling. Based on a federal indictment, he falsified paperwork that confirmed the varsity system acquired giant quantities of hand cleaning soap, trash can liners and different custodial merchandise. As a substitute, solely a small provide was delivered.
The indictment mentioned Barker, 47, of Foster, used among the cash to purchase a utility automobile and make down funds on a observe loader and excavator.
The college board despatched the funds to Rush Enterprises, a Kentucky enterprise with an workplace in Kenova, West Virginia. The indictment mentioned Rush Enterprises operator Jesse Marks deposited the checks and paid a share of the proceeds to Barker.
The indictment named Marks as an unindicted co-conspirator.
“At a time when Boone County Faculties confronted important challenges, notably whereas responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Barker used his place of authority to complement himself on the expense of the kids of Boone County,” U.S. Lawyer Will Thompson mentioned in a press release.
An e mail in search of remark was despatched to Rush Enterprises Wednesday. A telephone quantity listed on Fb for the corporate wasn’t working.
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